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Career Development Office 2018 – 2019 Recruitment Planning Guide http://law.richmond.edu/career (804) 289-8638 [email protected]
Career Development Office
2018 – 2019
Recruitment Planning Guide
http://law.richmond.edu/career
(804) 289-8638
1
2018 – 2019
Recruitment Planning Guide
Table of Contents
Hiring Practices Summary ...............................................................................................................2
Description of Recruitment Programs .............................................................................................6
Southeastern Minority Job Fair (SEMJF) ...................................................................................6
Southeastern Intellectual Property Job Fair (SIPJF) .................................................................10
Loyola Patent Law Interview Program .....................................................................................11
New England Interview Program (NEIP) .................................................................................14
August/Early Fall On-Campus Interview Program ...................................................................15
Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair .....................................................................17
Spring Interview Programs ........................................................................................................18
Recruiting Programs Dates and Deadlines ....................................................................................19
Frequently Asked Questions ..........................................................................................................23
On-Campus Interview (OCI) Applications ...............................................................................23
Interviews ..................................................................................................................................25
Offers .........................................................................................................................................27
Other Questions .........................................................................................................................29
Sample Documents ........................................................................................................................30
Guide to Summer Employment Evaluations..................................................................................44
Best Practices for Preparing and Submitting Applications ............................................................47
NALP Guidelines ...........................................................................................................................49
Richmond Law Interview and Offer Policies ................................................................................53
Staff and Contact Information .......................................................................................................54
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Hiring Practices Summary
Introduction
Depending on where you are in the career development process, your first and second summer may have
vastly different purposes. The goal of your first summer is to explore your options and further develop
your legal knowledge. It is an opportunity to learn more about your interests and how they relate to
various areas of legal practice. Ideally, by your second summer, you can begin to tailor your experiences
toward your post-graduate employment goals. Further, during your second summer it is important to
increase your substantive knowledge and demonstrate your interest in or commitment to a particular kind
of work. For these reasons, you must approach your second summer and post-graduate search
thoughtfully.
The summary below provides general information about the summer and post-graduate employment
process for a variety of employers. This information is designed to help you over the summer months as
you begin to plan your 2L summer employment search. Schedule an appointment to meet with your
career advisor to discuss these practices further and develop your search strategy.
As you think about the various Richmond Law-sponsored recruitment programs available, it is important
to remember that employers recruit via a variety of methods. Data provided by the National Association
for Law Placement (NALP) for the class of 2016 reveals that only 18.2% of law students nationally
secure their post-graduate position via a fall on-campus recruitment program. A multi-pronged search,
incorporating formal recruitment programs, job postings, unsolicited applications and networking efforts,
significantly increases your likelihood for success.
Large Law Firms
Large law firms rely almost exclusively on their summer associate programs as the primary means for
hiring entry-level attorneys. Typically, these firms interview second-year law students in the summer and
early fall for summer associate positions the following summer. Offers of post-graduate employment are
made at the conclusion of the 2L summer. In most circumstances, large law firms do not interview third-
year students for post-graduate employment. Thus, if you want to work at a large law firm immediately
after graduation, it is important to secure a position with one during your 2L summer. Later in your
career, there may be other opportunities to join these organizations after gaining some practice
experience.
Large law firms are among the most grade-conscious of legal employers. Strong academic credentials and
participation in co-curricular activities including law journals and moot court are highly valued.
Some large law firms, particularly those in the Richmond area, will participate in Richmond Law’s on-
campus interview program (OCI); however, it is important that you supplement your OCI applications
with direct applications to other law firms in which you have an interest, especially those in regions
outside Richmond. Early July is an appropriate time to apply to firms that are not participating in OCI.
The NALP Directory is a good resource for learning more about and directing applications to large law
firms.
Approximately 6% of the Richmond Law Class of 2016 secured their first post-graduate positions in law
firms of over 100 attorneys.
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Small and Mid-Size Law Firms
The majority of attorneys in private practice work in small (fewer than 50 attorneys) and mid-size (50-100
attorneys) law firms. In fact, according to the American Bar Association, more than 60% of lawyers work
in small firms. With few exceptions, small law firms hire on an as-needed basis in the same manner as
most other employers. Few participate in OCI. They often seek summer associates or interns during the
spring semester, and entry-level attorneys following the release of bar exam results. Some will post
opportunities, while others will rely on unsolicited applications or their referral networks to identify new
attorneys.
Though small and mid-size firms cannot always make post-graduate hiring decisions following summer
employment, developing a relationship with a small firm of interest and demonstrating related practice
area expertise through your summer work, clinical placements, and pro bono work will increase your
chances of landing post-graduate employment. Personality fit, practice-area-specific knowledge, and
geographic ties (key to successful client development) are among the most important factors to small and
mid-size law firms when making hiring decisions.
A few small and mid-size law firms will visit campus. Every March, Richmond Law co-hosts the
Commonwealth Law School Consortium’s Spring Interview Program, in which Richmond Law students
participate with students from the law schools of Washington & Lee, William & Mary, and the University
of Virginia, exclusively for small and mid-size firms. During March 2017, 14 employers participated in
this program.
For additional information about applying to small and mid-size law firms, review Choosing Small,
Choosing Smart: Job Search Strategies for Lawyers in the Small Firm Market by Donna Gerson
(available in the CDO resource library). Also, Martindale-Hubbell is a good, though not comprehensive,
resource for identifying law firms in various geographic areas and with certain practices, as well as those
firms with Richmond Law alumni.
After graduating from Richmond Law, 28% of the Class of 2016 went to work in law firms of 100 or
fewer attorneys.
During summer 2017, approximately 29% of the positions secured by Richmond Law 2Ls were at law
firms of any size.
Government and Public Interest Organizations
Many government agencies and public interest organizations offer interesting and meaningful work in a
setting where work-life balance is possible. Public sector attorneys work in a variety of practice areas, and
report high job satisfaction.
While summer opportunities abound, competition for entry-level attorney positions can be stiff, and most
organizations do not hire until after the release of bar exam results.
Government agencies and public interest organizations do limited hiring through OCI and job fairs, and
they rely heavily on job postings. Each October in Washington, D.C., hundreds of public sector
employers from all over the country participate in the Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair.
During the spring semester, Richmond Law co-hosts the Commonwealth Law School Consortium
Government & Public Interest Interview Program, in which Richmond Law students participate with
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students from the law schools of Washington & Lee and William & Mary. In February 2018, 75
employers participated in this program.
The Government Honors & Internship Handbook provides information about summer and post-graduate
positions, primarily with the federal government. Please check with the CDO for current login
information. PSJD provides both job postings and a database in which you can search for public interest
organizations by issue, practice, or geographic area. Another source of public interest opportunities is
Idealist.org. Post-graduate positions and some summer opportunities in the federal government are posted
on the USAJOBS website. You also should review various state and local government employment
websites regularly for post-graduate opportunities.
Summer internships in the public sector often are unpaid. Through the Summer Public Service Fellowship
Program, Richmond Law provides financial support to students working in unpaid legal positions in the
public sector. While each student is guaranteed to receive one Fellowship for qualifying work during their
academic career, those pursuing post-graduate positions in the public sector may apply for a second
Fellowship. Note that a second Fellowship is not guaranteed.
During summer 2017, over 44% of Richmond Law 2Ls worked in the public sector.
In the Class of 2016, 21% of graduates secured employment with a government agency or public sector
organization.
Judiciary
State and federal court judges hire students as judicial interns for summer work. They also hire graduates
as judicial clerks for a period of one or two years. Judicial internships and clerkships provide the
opportunity to get an inside view of the litigation process.
Judges typically hire judicial interns based on unsolicited applications. First-year students pursue these
opportunities more frequently than second-year students, and some judges only hire first-year students as
interns.
Post-graduate judicial clerkships are highly selective, though this varies based on the court and
geographic location. Some judges may begin accepting applications as early as the summer following
your 1L year, while others will hire during the fall semester of your 3L year. Judges post opportunities via
OSCAR (federal judges only), Symplicity, and state and local government websites. They also accept
unsolicited applications. You may call judges’ chambers to determine if they are accepting applications
and what materials are required. However, before doing so, contact the CDO judicial clerkship advisor.
The CDO maintains and publishes lists of federal and state court judges and their hiring timelines.
Resources, including the CDO’s Judicial Clerkship website, the Guide to State Judicial Clerkships
(request log-in credentials from the CDO), the faculty judicial clerkship committee, and the CDO judicial
clerkship advisor, Marka Belinfanti, will assist you in navigating the post-graduate judicial clerkship
application process.
During the summer of 2017, 5% of 2Ls served as judicial interns.
Richmond Law graduates have a solid track record of being selected for post-graduate judicial clerkships.
23% of the members of the Class of 2016 obtained clerkships.
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Academic
Summer positions in academia (primarily research assistant positions) are a very popular option as they
can provide an excellent opportunity to hone your research and writing skills. You may have the chance
to work on interesting projects, participate in the preparation of research for a book or article, and
establish and solidify a close working relationship with a law professor (which is particularly helpful if
you are interested in a post-graduate judicial clerkship).
Typically, professors hire summer research assistants towards the end of spring semester. Some
professors solicit research assistants by posting job opportunities on Symplicity; however, the majority of
professors use different methods to conduct hiring. Some may post a sign on their office door, but many
will wait for students to contact them. If you have a particularly strong relationship with one of your
professors or a serious interest in a professor’s area of expertise, make an appointment to meet with him
or her during office hours, and bring your resume to express interest in a research assistant position.
Last summer, 13% of 2Ls worked in academia, primarily as research assistants.
In-House Counsel Opportunities
Corporations generally hire their attorneys laterally from law firms (in many cases from the firms that
work on their matters). These employers generally do not hire summer clerks as an organic part of their
recruiting activity; however, you may be able to obtain this kind of job through your own outreach efforts.
Generally, employers hire for these positions during spring semester. Prior work experience can be a key
to landing an in-house internship.
The Directory of Corporate Counsel, available in the Law Library, provides information about in-house
legal departments at U.S. corporations. Also, some corporations post summer internships on their
websites. Through its Corporate Scholars Program, the Association of Corporate Counsel National
Capital Region hires first and second-year students for summer positions in companies throughout the
region.
During summer 2017, 7.5% of 2Ls accepted positions within a business, primarily with in-house counsel.
Alternative Employers
Non-legal or alternative careers are an increasingly popular option. Given the wide variety of non-legal
careers, you should meet with your career advisor to discuss your specific interests. In most cases,
alternative employers make hiring decisions on an as-needed basis.
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Description of Recruitment Programs
Southeastern Minority Job Fair (SEMJF) July 20 & 21, 2018
Hyatt Regency Suites, Perimeter Northwest
Marietta, GA
At the Southeastern Minority Job Fair (SEMJF) legal employers nationwide interview rising second
and third-year law students, as well as recent graduates, from 50+ law schools. A majority of the
employers who participate in the program are interested in interviewing rising second-year students,
although several employers will interview third years and recent graduates for post-graduate
opportunities. In past years, approximately 140 employers have interviewed over 900 students during the
two-day job fair.
Applying for SEMJF is a two-step process:
1. Pre-Registration – Students interested in submitting applications to SEMJF must first pre-register
through the UR Symplicity website. Pre-registration begins on Wednesday, March 28. The
deadline to pre-register is Sunday, April 15 at 5:00 pm. To pre-register (beginning March 28),
login to the UR Law Symplicity website, select the OCI tab, Session 2018 Southeastern Minority
Job Fair Pre-Registration, and select REVIEW and APPLY. No resume is needed to pre-register.
2. Application Submission - Once the pre-registration period ends on April 15, the names of
students who pre-registered through the UR Law Symplicity website will be uploaded to the
SEMJF Symplicity website. Only pre-registered students will receive a login and password
from the SEMJF administrator to view employers and submit applications during the on-
line submission period of May 11 – May 30.
IMPORTANT: Pre-registration does not require that you submit applications once the actual student
registration period opens on May 11.
Current students who interviewed at the SEMJF interview program in 2016 and 2017 are as follows:
Nikita Bhojani (2L) [email protected]
Kate Desai (3L) [email protected]
Nick Inchaustegui (3L) [email protected]
Sora Ko (2L) [email protected]
Maria Salido Gusi (3L) [email protected]
Stephen Scaife (3L) [email protected]
Helen Vu (2L) [email protected]
Hsiao-Han Wang (3L) [email protected]
They are available to answer questions from students regarding the application and interview process.
7
In 2017, the following employers participated in SEMJF:
Alston & Bird LLP (Atlanta, GA) 2L;
Arnall Golden Gregory LLP (Atlanta, GA) 2L;
Atlanta Legal Aid Society Inc. (Atlanta, GA) 2L;
Baker Botts L.L.P. (All Offices), 2L, 3L, GRAD;
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC (Birmingham, AL) 2L;
Bass, Berry & Sims PLC (Nashville, TN) 2L;
Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP (Dallas, TX) 3L;
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP (Miami, FL) 2L;
Bracewell LLP, 2L;
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLC (Multiple Locations) 2L;
Bryan Cave LLP (Atlanta, GA) 2L;
Butler Snow (Jackson, MS) 2L;
Cook County State's Attorney's Office (Chicago, IL) 3L;
Department of Public Advocacy (Frankfort, KY) 3L;
Drew Eckl & Farnham, LLP (Atlanta, GA) 2L;
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, Staff Attorney's Office (Atlanta, GA) 3L, GRAD;
Ellis & Winters LLP (Raleigh, NC) 2L;
Environment and Natural Resources Division (Washington, DC) 2L, 3L;
Eversheds Sutherland LLP (Atlanta, GA) 2L;
Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (Ft. Meyers, FL) 3L, GRAD;
Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLP (Washington, DC) 2L;
Goodwin Procter LLP (Washington, DC) 2L;
Greenberg Traurig LLP (Atlanta, GA) 2L;
Gunster (West Palm Beach, FL) 2L;
Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo, LLP (Charlotte, NC) 3L, GRAD;
Hill Ward Henderson (Tampa, FL) 2L;
Holland & Knight LLP (Atlanta, GA) 2L;
HQ USAF/JAX (Joint Base Andrews, MD) 2L, 3L, GRAD;
Hunton & Williams LLP (Atlanta, GA) 2L;
Husch Blackwell LLP (St. Louis, MO) 2L;
Jackson Walker (Dallas, TX) 2L;
Jones Day (Atlanta, GA) 2L;
Jones Walker LLP (New Orleans, LA) 2L;
K&L Gates (Charlotte, NC) 2L;
Kaufman & Canoles (Norfolk, VA) 2L, 3L, GRAD;
Kean Miller LLP (Baton Rouge, LA) 2L;
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP (Atlanta, GA) 2L;
King & Spalding, LLP (Atlanta, GA) 2L;
Kirkland & Ellis LLP (Washington, DC) 2L;
Law Offices of the Public Defender, Fourth Judicial Circuit (Jacksonville, FL) 3L, GRAD;
Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP (Phoenix, AZ) 2L;
Littler Mendelson (San Francisco, CA) 2L, 3L;
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Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, PA (Orlando, FL) 2L;
Mayer Brown LLP (Charlotte, NC) 2L;
McGuireWoods LLP (Charlotte, NC) 2L;
Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office (Charlotte, NC) 2L;
Merchant & Gould (Minneapolis, MN) 2L;
Miami-Dade Public Defender's Office (Miami, FL) 3L;
Miller & Martin PLLC (Atlanta, GA) 2L;
Moore & Van Allen, PLLC (Charlotte, NC) 2L;
Morris, Manning & Martin LLP (Atlanta, GA) 2L;
Moses & Singer (New York, NY) 2L;
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP (Multiple Offices) 2L;
New York City Law Department (New York, NY) 2L, 3L;
Ninth Circuit Public Defender (Charleston, SC) 2L, 3L, GRAD;
Norton Rose Fulbright (Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, LA, New York, D.C.) 2L;
Office of Chief Counsel Internal Revenue Service (Washington, DC) 2L, 3L;
Office of the Queens County District Attorneys Off (Kew Gardens, NY) 3L;
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Atlanta, GA) 2L, 3L, GRAD;
Orleans Public Defenders (New Orleans, LA) 2L, 3L;
Parker Poe (Charlotte, NC) 2L;
Paul Hastings LLP (Atlanta, GA) 2L;
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (Washington DC) 2L;
Phelps Dunbar LLP (New Orleans, LA) 2L, 3L;
Polsinelli (Kansas City, MO) 2L;
Reminger Attorneys at Law (Cleveland, OH) 2L, 3L;
Richards, Layton & Finger (Wilmington, DE) 2L, 3L;
Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson (Charlotte, NC) 2L;
Seyfarth Shaw LLP (Atlanta, GA) 2L;
Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P (Kansas City, MO) 2L;
Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP (Toledo, OH) 2L, 3L, GRAD;
Sidley Austin LLP (Washington, DC) 2L;
Smith Anderson Blount Dorsett Mitchell & Jernigan, LLP (Raleigh, NC) 2L;
Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (Atlanta, GA) 2L;
State Attorney's Office, 20th Circuit (Fort Myers, FL) 2L, 3L, GRAD;
Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox (Washington, DC) 2L, 3L;
Still She Rises (Tulsa, OK) 2L, 3L;
Stites and Harbison PLLC (Louisville, KY) 2L;
Swift Currie McGhee & Hiers (Atlanta, GA) 2L;
Tennessee Attorney General (Nashville, TN) 2L, 3L;
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Washington, DC) 2L, 3L;
The Capital Appeals Project/Promise of Justice Initiative (New Orleans, LA) 2L, 3L, GRAD;
The Kullman Firm (New Orleans, Louisiana) 2L;
Thompson & Knight, LLP (Houston) 2L;
Thompson Coburn LLP (St. Louis, MO) 2L;
Troutman Sanders LLP (Atlanta, GA) 2L;
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U.S. Senate Office of the Legislative Counsel (Washington, DC) 2L, 3L;
US Army Corps of Engineers (Atlanta, GA) 3L, GRAD;
Venable LLP (Washington, DC) 2L;
Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP (Nashville, TN) 2L, 3L;
Ward and Smith, P.A. (Raleigh, NC) 2L;
Weinberg, Wheeler, Hudgins, Gunn & Dial (Atlanta, GA) 2L; and
Zimmerman Kiser Sutcliffe (Orlando, FL) 2L.
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Southeastern Intellectual Property Job Fair (SIPJF)
July 24, 2018
Georgia State University - Atlanta, GA
The Southeastern Intellectual Property Job Fair is the largest intellectual property job fair in the
region. The job fair encompasses all areas of intellectual property, including litigation, transactional work
and prosecution.
Current students available to answer questions regarding their interview program experience:
Katherine Morley (2L) [email protected]
So Ko (2L) [email protected]
Brad Stringfellow (3L) [email protected]
Hsiao-Han Wang (3L) [email protected]
The following employers attended SIPJF in recent years:
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Alston & Bird LLP
Arnold & Porter LLP
AT&T Intellectual Property
Baker Botts LLP
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell &
Berkowitz, PC
Baker Hostetler LLP
Ballard Spahr LLP
Bryan Cave LLP
Cantor Colburn LLP
Clements Bernard PLLC
Dority & Manning, P.A.
Duane Morris LLP
Eversheds Sutherland
Finnegan
Fish & Richardson
Foley & Lardner LLP
Hall Booth Smith, P.C.
Hill Kertscher & Wharton, LLP
Hunton & Williams LLP
Jones Day
Kilpatrick Townsend
King & Spalding
Mayer Brown LLP
McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff, LLP
Merchant & Gould P.C.
Meunier Carlin & Curfman, LLC
Moore & Van Allen PLLC
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Morris, Manning and Martin
Myers Bigel
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
Nuesoft Technologies, Inc.
Oliff PLC
Patterson & Sheridan
Pillsbury Law
Robins Kaplan LLP
Smith Gambrell & Russell, LLP
Smith Risley Tempel Santos, LLC
Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox
Sughrue & Mion PLLC
Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP
Taylor English Duma LLP
Thomas Horstemeyer, LLP
Troutman Sanders
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice
Wood Herron Evans
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Loyola Patent Law Interview Program July 26 & 27, 2018
Embassy Suites Chicago - Chicago, IL
The Loyola Patent Law Interview Program is a two-day interview program held in Chicago for
students with undergraduate or graduate degrees in engineering or a technical science. You do not need to
be patent bar eligible to register, although a vast majority of employers participating in the program are
seeking patent bar eligible students.
Each year roughly 1,500 law students apply to interview with employers throughout the nation.
Interviews are determined by employer prescreening which means that participating employers review the
resumes submitted to them and choose the law students they are interested in interviewing at the program.
Roughly half of the students registered for the program are selected for interviews each year.
Current students available to answer questions regarding their interview experience:
Seth Bruneel (2L) [email protected]
Genevieve de Guzman (3L) [email protected]
Sora Ko (2L) [email protected]
Ilya Mirov (2L) [email protected]
Brad Stringfellow (3L) [email protected]
Hsiao-Han Wang (3L) [email protected]
In 2017, the following employers participated in the Loyola Patent Law Interview
Program:
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Alston & Bird LLP
Andrews Kurth LLP
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP
Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP
Baker Botts LLP
Baker Hostetler LLP
Baker & McKenzie LLP
Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.
Bishop, Diehl & Lee, Ltd.
Blakely, Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman LLP
Boyle Fredrickson
Bracewell & Giuliani LLP
Brinks Gilson & Lione
Brooks Kushman P.C.
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP
Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP
Carlson Caspers
Carter, DeLuca, Farrell & Schmidt LLP
Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP
Condo Roccia Koptiw LLP
Cooley LLP
Cooper & Dunham LLP
Covington & Burling LLP
Cozen O’Connor
Crowell & Moring LLP
Dechert LLP
Dept. of the Navy, Office of General Counsel
Desmarais LLP
Dinsmore & Shohl
Dority & Manning P.A.
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Erise IP
Eversheds Sutherland
Faegre Baker Daniels LLP
Finnegan
Fish & Richardson P.C.
Fitch Even Tabin & Flannery LLP
Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto
Fletcher & Yoder
Fogg & Powers LLC
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Foley & Lardner LLP
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson
Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.
Goodwin Procter LLP
Green, Griffith & Borg-Breen LLP
Greenberg Traurig LLP
Greenblum & Bernstein, PLC
Hamilton Brook Smith Reynolds P.C.
Harness, Dickey & Pierce, PLC
Haug Partners LLP
Haynes & Boone LLP
Hewlett-Packard Co.
Hickman Palermo Truong & Becker
Hogan Lovells US LLP
Honigman Miller Schwartz & Cohn
Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP
Husch Blackwell LLP
Ice Miller LLP
Irell & Manella LLP
Jenner & Block LLP
Jones Day
K&L Gates
Kaye Scholer LLP
Keller Jolley Preece
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Klarquist Sparkman LLP
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
KPPB LLP
Latham & Watkins
LegalForce RAPC
Lempia Summerfield Katz LLC
Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik
Leydig, Voit & Mayer, Ltd.
Locke Lord LLP
Lowenstein Sandler
Marshall Gerstein & Borun LLP
Maschoff Brennan
Mayer Brown LLP
McAndrews Held & Malloy
McCarter & English LLP
McDermott Will & Emery LLP
McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff
Merchant & Gould
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell
Morrison & Foerster LLP
Neal Gerber Eisenberg
Nixon Peabody LLP
Nutter, McClennan & Fish LLP
Oblon, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt LLP
O’Melveny & Myers LLP
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Patent Law Works LLP
Patterson + Sheridan LLP
Paul Hastings LLP
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Pepper Hamilton LLP
Perkins Coie LLP
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Polsinelli P.C.
Price Heneveld LLP
Proskauer
Quarles & Brady LLP
Quinn Emanuel
Rakoczy Molino Mazzochi Siwik LLP
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, S.C.
Robins Kaplan LLP
Ropes & Gray
Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, P.C.
Schiff Hardin LLP
Senninger Powers LLP
Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP
Shumaker & Sieffert, P.A.
Sidley Austin LLP
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom
Snell & Wilmer
Steptoe & Johnson LLP
Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox PLLC
Stoel Rives LLP
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
Sughrue Mion, PLLC
Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
Thomas | Horstemeyer
Thompson Coburn LLP
Troutman Sanders LLP
Vedder Price P.C.
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Venable LLP
Vinson & Elkins
White & Case
Wiley Rein
WilmerHale
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Winston & Strawn
Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks P.C.
Wood Herron & Evans
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New England Interview Program (NEIP) August 10, 2018
Regus Office Suites - Boston, MA
The New England Interview Program, a collaborative effort of nine regional law schools, will be held on Friday,
August 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Boston at the Regus Office Suites. The student application period opens
on June 4. Apply on-line through the UR Symplicity website. The application deadline is July 3.
Current students available to answer questions regarding their interview program experience:
Qingwei (Grace) Gu (2L) [email protected]
Helen Vu (2L) [email protected]
Daria Ivanova (2L) [email protected]
In 2017, the following employers participated in NEIP:
Choate Hall & Stewart LLP (Boston, MA) – 2L;
City of Boston – 2L;
Devine Millimet (Manchester, NH) – 2L;
New Hampshire Public Defender (Concord, NH) – 2L/3L;
Nixon Peabody (Boston, MA) – 2L;
Pierce Atwood (Portland, ME) – 2L;
Proskauer (Boston, MA) – 2L;
RichMay (Boston, MA) – 2L;
Shaheen & Gordon (Dover, NH) – 3L;
Shipman & Goodwin (Hartford, CT) – 2L;
Sullivan & Worcester (Boston, MA) – 2L; and
Withers Bergman (New Haven, CT) – 2L.
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August/Early Fall On-Campus Interview Program August 7 – September 20, 2018
University of Richmond School of Law
The CDO hosts an August/Early Fall On-Campus Interview Program (OCI) for second and third-year students.
A majority of the employers who participate in the program are interested in interviewing second-year students for
summer associate positions. Third-year students interview for part-time school-year and post-graduate positions.
The OCI program is run entirely through the University of Richmond Symplicity system. The interview weeks are
divided into “Sessions” with separate application deadlines:
Session 1: Interviews on August 7 – 9. Application deadline: July 22.
Session 2: Interviews on August 13 – 16. Application deadline: July 29.
Session 3: Interviews on August 21 - 23. Application deadline: August 5.
Session Allen Allen Allen Allen: Interviews on August 30. Application deadline: August 5.
Session 4: Interviews on September 11 – 13. Application deadline: August 26.
Session 5: Interviews on September 18 - 20. Application deadline: September 2.
You must have a resume uploaded in the Symplicity system to apply to employers participating in the OCI
program. Any additional documents required (cover letter, transcript, writing sample) must be prepared
and uploaded as well.
Once the application deadline has passed, a resume booklet comprised of all student applications is emailed to the
employer. Students who submitted an application will be notified by email when the employer selections are
received.
Students will be instructed to check under the OCI tab in Symplicity to view their interview status (invited, not
invited, or alternate).
Students selected for interviews must schedule an interview time through Symplicity on a first-come first-served
basis. Most interviews are 20 minutes in length, although some employers request a 30-minute interview schedule.
In 2017, the following employers interviewed or requested resume booklets from students for the
OCI program:
Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen (Richmond, VA) – 2L;
APEX Systems, LLC (Glen Allen, VA) – 2L/3L;
Armstrong Bristow Farley & Schwarzschild (Richmond, VA) – 2L;
Beveridge Diamond (Washington, DC) – 2L;
Bland Sorkin (Richmond, VA) – 2L;
Brown Rudnick (Multiple Locations) – 2L;
Chasen Boscolo (Greenbelt, MD) – 2L;
Circuit Court of Chesterfield County (Chesterfield, VA) – 3L;
City of Richmond Attorney’s Office (Richmond, VA) – 2L;
Community Tax Law Project (Richmond, VA) – 2L/3L;
Christian & Barton L.L.P. (Richmond, VA) – 2L;
Cole Schotz PC (New Jersey and New York) – 2L/3L;
Cooley LLP (Multiple Locations) – 2L;
Dority Manning (Greenville, SC) – 2L;
Eldridge Industries (New York, NY) – 2L/3L;
16
Fairfax County Circuit Court (Fairfax, VA) – 3L;
Finnegan (Washington, DC) – 2L;
Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore (Roanoke, VA) – 2L;
Halperin Law (Richmond, VA) – 2L;
Harter Secrest & Emery (Rochester, NY) – 2L/3L;
Hunton & Williams, LLP (Richmond, VA) – 2L;
Internal Revenue Service - Office of Chief Counsel (Washington, DC) – 2L/3L;
Jones Blechman Woltz & Kelly (Newport News, VA) – 2L;
Kaufman & Canoles (Norfolk and Williamsburg, VA) – 2L;
K&L Gates (Washington, DC) – 2L;
Lenhart Pettit (Charlottesville, VA) – 2L;
McGuireWoods, LLP (Richmond, VA) – 2L;
Moore & Van Allen, PLLC (Charlotte, NC) - 2L;
Norfolk Circuit Court (Norfolk, VA) – 3L;
PennStuart (Abingdon, VA and Bristol, TN) – 2L;
Philadelphia District Attorney's Office (Philadelphia, PA) – 2L/3L;
Pillsbury LLP (Tysons Corner, VA) – 2L;
Parrish Snead Franklin Simpson, PLC (Fredericksburg, VA) – 2L;
Portsmouth Commonwealth's Attorney's Office (Portsmouth, VA) – 2L;
Rawls McNelis (Richmond, VA) – 2L/3L;
Reed Smith LLP (Washington, DC; Richmond, VA; Tysons Corner, VA) – 2L;
Richards Layton & Finger, PA (Wilmington, DE) – 2L/3L;
Sands Anderson PC (Richmond, VA) – 2L;
Southern Environmental Law Center (Multiple Locations) – 2L;
Spilman Thomas and Battle, PLLC (Charleston, WV) – 2L;
Spotsylvania County Attorney's Office (Spotsylvania, VA) – 2L;
Steptoe Johnson (Multiple Locations) – 2L;
Troutman Sanders LLP (Richmond, VA) – 2L;
U.S. Department of Labor (Washington, DC) – 3L;
U.S. Department of Transportation (Washington, DC) – 3L;
Venable LLP (Washington DC and Tysons Corner, VA) – 2L;
Vinson & Elkins LLP (Washington, DC and Richmond, VA) – 2L;
Williams Mullen (Richmond, VA and Virginia Beach, VA and Raleigh, NC) – 2L;
Willcox & Savage, PC (Norfolk, VA) – 2L/3L; and
Woods Rogers PLC (Roanoke, VA) – 2L.
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Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair October 26 – 27, 2018
Arlington, VA
The Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair is the largest national public interest legal career fair in
the country. More than 1,200 students from 165 law schools attend two days of interviews, workshops, networking
and other career opportunities. Public interest employers conduct interviews for internship and full-time positions
and meet with students in informal “table talk” settings to discuss public interest legal opportunities. The
Conference and Career Fair also features workshops on various public interest careers and job search advice,
resume and cover letter review, mock interviews, and more.
Current students available to answer questions regarding their interview program experience:
Mollie Laird (2L) [email protected]
Kate Miceli (2L) [email protected]
Employers who participated in the 2017 Conference and Career Fair may be found on the Equal Justice Works
webpage http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/law-school/conference-and-careerfair/employer/2017.
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Spring Interview Programs
The Spring On-Campus Interview Program (Spring OCI) is a small program held on campus beginning in late
January or early February and continuing throughout the spring semester. A majority of the employers who
participate in the program are interested in interviewing first-year students for summer positions. A few employers
also will interview second and third-year students for a limited number of summer and post-graduate opportunities.
The student application period opens in early January and the first application deadline is in mid-January. The
Spring OCI program is run entirely through the UR Law Symplicity system and the interview weeks are divided
into “Sessions” with staggered deadlines.
The Commonwealth Law School Consortium Government and Public Interest Interview Program is held in
conjunction with William & Mary and Washington & Lee law schools, and the opportunities are primarily for first
and second-year law students. Government and public interest employers conduct interviews on campus in the
Tyler Haynes Commons for summer employment opportunities. The student application period opens in mid-
December and the application deadline is in mid-January.
The Commonwealth Law School Consortium Spring Interview Program is a small interview program held in
conjunction with the University of Virginia, William & Mary, and Washington & Lee law schools in mid-March
for small and mid-size law firms to interview second and third-year students for summer and post-graduate
employment opportunities. The application period opens in early February and ends the last week in February.
The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) provides first and second-year students summer employment in
corporate legal departments throughout the region. Students may begin applying for the National Capital Region
Corporate Scholars Program in mid-December, and the application deadline is in mid-January.
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Recruiting Programs Dates and Deadlines
MARCH 2018
March 1
Loyola Patent Law Interview Program – student registration begins.
March 23
Loyola Patent Law Interview Program – student registration deadline.
March 28
SEMJF1 – student pre-registration begins through the UR Law Symplicity website.
APRIL 2018
April 15
SEMJF – Deadline for students to pre-register through the UR Law Symplicity website.
April 25
SIPJF2 – student preview and registration period opens through SIPJF Symplicity website.
MAY 2018
May 9
SIPJF – student preview and registration deadline.
May 11
SEMJF – application period opens for all pre-registered students through the SEMJF Symplicity website (details to
be provided).
May 15
SIPJF – student application period opens on SIPJF Symplicity website.
May 29
Loyola Patent Law Interview Program – student application period opens.
SIPJF – student application deadline.
May 30
SEMJF – deadline for students to apply through the SEMJF Symplicity website.
1 Southeastern Minority Job Fair 2 Southeastern Intellectual Property Job Fair
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JUNE 2018
June 4
August/Early Fall OCI3 - students may begin to preview registered employers through UR Symplicity website.
NEIP4 - student application period opens through the UR Symplicity website.
June 12
Loyola Patent Law Interview Program – student application period ends.
June 20
SEMJF – interview/alternate selections available on SEMJF Symplicity website.
June 25
Deadline for students to submit application materials for review to career advisors to receive feedback by July 16.
Application materials received after that date will be reviewed and returned in the order in which they are received.
June 27
SEMJF – student deadline to accept/decline invitation(s) to interview (11:58 p.m. EST).
JULY 2018
July 1
Federal Clerkships - OSCAR (Online System for Clerkship Application and Review) becomes available to rising
second-year law students (2Ls).
July 3
NEIP – student application deadline at 11:45 p.m.
July 2
OCI – student application period opens.
July 6
SEMJF – interview schedules available on SEMJF Symplicity website.
July 11
Loyola Patent Law Interview Program – preliminary interview schedules available on Patent Law Symplicity
website.
July 20
SEMJF – interviews begin at 3:00 p.m. in Marietta, GA.
July 21
SEMJF – interviews begin at 9:00 a.m. in Marietta, GA.
July 22
OCI Week 1 application deadline at 11:45 p.m.
3 August/Early Fall On-Campus Interview Program 4 New England Interview Program
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July 23
NEIP interview/alternate selections available. Students will be notified by their individual school’s CDO.
July 24
SIPJF Interview Program in Atlanta, GA.
July 26 - 27
Loyola Patent Law Interview Program in Chicago, IL.
July 29
OCI Week 2 application deadline at 11:45 p.m.
AUGUST 2018
August 2
NEIP interview schedules distributed by each individual school’s CDO.
August 5
OCI – Session 3 and Session Allen Allen Allen Allen application deadline at 11:45 p.m.
August 7 - 9
OCI – Week 1 of interviews.
August 10
New England Interview Program in Boston, MA.
August 13
Registration for the Equal Justice Works Career Fair opens. Deadline to register is September 14th.
August 13 - 16
OCI – Week 2 of interviews.
August 21 - 23
OCI – Week 3 of interviews.
August 26
OCI – Session 4 application deadline at 11:45 p.m.
August 27
First Day of Classes.
August 30
Allen Allen Allen Allen On-Campus Interviews.
SEPTEMBER 2018
September 2
OCI – Session 5 application deadline at 11:45 p.m.
September 11 - 13
OCI – Week 4 of interviews.
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September 18 - 20
OCI – Week 5 of interviews.
OCTOBER 2018
October 26 - 27
Equal Justice Works Career Fair in Arlington, VA.
23
Frequently Asked Questions
On-Campus Interview (OCI) Applications
Why don’t I see as many job postings or OCI employers as another student when I log into Symplicity?
Symplicity displays to students only those employers who have requested applications from their class. Check your
Profile under the “Academic” tab to make sure your class year is correct.
Is there an advantage to applying before the stated OCI deadline?
Employers participating in OCI will receive all submitted applications the day after the posted deadline, so it does
not give you an advantage to apply early, except that doing so will decrease the likelihood that you encounter
unforeseen obstacles in applying. For other job postings, it generally is better to apply well before the stated
deadline. Employers often review resumes and begin interviewing before the application deadline. A position may
be filled before the stated deadline and the job posting may be deactivated.
Do I have to write cover letters when submitting OCI applications?
If an employer requests a cover letter, you must provide one. Cover letters should be employer specific and tailored
to the position you are seeking. Make sure each cover letter is properly addressed to the designated employer
contact. Simply changing the employer name in a letter prior to submitting it to a new employer can lead to
careless errors that may disqualify your application. Your career advisor can help by reviewing drafts.
Do I have to upload an unofficial transcript, list of references, and a writing sample?
Supplemental documents are required when the employer specifically requests them. Always bring an extra
resume, writing sample, transcript, and reference list to each interview.
How do I obtain a copy of my transcript?
To request a copy of your transcript, fill out the transcript request form on the Registrar’s Office
website: http://registrar.richmond.edu/common/PDF/5_1%20Online%20Forms/transcriptrequest.pdf. Print the
form, handwrite your signature, and then scan and email it back to the registrar
at [email protected]. Request that an official transcript be sent to you in electronic format (unless the
employer asked for a sealed official transcript). Once you receive the PDF, upload it to Symplicity or make copies
of it to distribute to interviewers. Do not upload a copy of your BannerWeb printout to Symplicity or provide it to
employers.
What should I use as my writing sample?
Employers generally want a legal writing sample that is between five and ten pages in length, double-spaced, and
that represents work performed by you during law school. It is important to provide the best sample of your
writing. You may select a piece you wrote for Law Skills, a journal article, a paper submitted for a writing
competition, or a memorandum you prepared for an employer. If you use a piece that was prepared for an
employer, be sure to redact any identifying information and get your employer’s permission to use it. Pieces that
have been co-drafted or re-written by others are not acceptable. Law Skills papers or other writing samples that
were reviewed and critiqued by others are fine, as long as you are the one who did any re-drafting. Remember to
include a cover page with your name and contact information (in the same format as your resume header). The
cover page should indicate the purpose for which the piece was originally written, and whether or not it is a
complete piece or an excerpt.
My grades do not meet some employers’ stated GPA preferences. May I still apply?
While employers’ preferred credentials are instructive, you may apply to every employer with whom you have a
genuine interest in working. The CDO does not screen application materials for compliance with employers’
preferred criteria. Under some circumstances, employers may be willing to consider applicants who do not
squarely meet their stated credentials. This may happen when you have a connection to the employer or geographic
region, related prior work experience, a specialized academic background, or when you would make a significant
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diversity contribution to the employer. Generally, view GPA preferences as a guideline. If your GPA is close, it
may well be considered, especially if your application is strong in other respects.
Is there a maximum or minimum number of employers to which I should apply?
Apply to every employer with whom you have a genuine interest in working.
How are students selected for interviews in each OCI session?
Candidates are selected for interviews via employer pre-screening. The CDO does not screen out any applications
submitted on time. This means that materials for each applicant are provided to the respective employer at the close
of the application period. The employer then selects the candidates they would like to interview and notifies the
CDO.
What is a resume collection?
Employers who are not able to interview on campus may request that materials from interested applicants be
provided to them as one resume booklet. These employers will review the materials, decide which students they
want to interview, and coordinate the interviews independently. In such cases, the CDO is not involved in the
process of scheduling interviews.
Will Richmond Law pay or reimburse me for travel costs for my participation in an out-of-town interview
program?
No; travel to out-of-town interview programs is at your own expense.
I missed the OCI application period. May I contact the employer and submit my materials individually?
No. You should not have direct contact with employers between the opening of the application period and the
interview program date. Employers participate in organized recruitment programs for the efficiency of dealing with
a single contact and receiving all application materials at the same time. They do not want to receive
communications from individual students.
I am transferring from Richmond Law. May I still participate in Richmond Law recruitment programs?
Participation in Richmond Law recruitment programs is open only to students who will be returning to Richmond
Law for the fall semester.
I have another commitment on the date of an interview program or on a particular employer’s OCI date. Can my
interviews be scheduled around my other commitment?
No. Employers interview on a single day. If you are not available on that date, do not apply for an interview with
that employer. Further, it is important that you be available to interview throughout the interview day, as the
employer’s scheduling preferences determine interview times. Some employers request to interview only in the
morning or afternoon, for example.
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Interviews
Does applying to an employer obligate me to interview?
Yes, you must participate in interviews to which you are invited unless you have accepted employment prior to the
interview date and notified the CDO. (See the Interview and Offer Policies section of this Recruitment Guide.)
How should I prepare for an interview?
• Think about why you applied to that particular employer. (Do not apply if you are not interested and would not
accept an offer from the employer.)
• Reflect on your strengths and what you want to contribute.
• Be ready with a strong opening statement about who you are and why you are interested in that employer.
• Review the employer’s website. Research the firm or organization. Understand their mission, values, clients and
practices.
• Review summer evaluations in Symplicity and talk to other students who have worked for that employer.
• Research your interviewers.
• Use Lexis or Westlaw to identify recent news regarding the employer.
• Have insightful questions ready.
• Practice your responses to frequently asked interview questions. Schedule a mock interview with the CDO.
• Express your passion and enthusiasm. Employers want to hire someone who is eager to learn and will be an
enjoyable addition to the office.
• Do not bring your laptop, coat or beverage into the interview. Sit up straight and do not fidget.
• Remember you are being judged on your presentation as well as the content of your answers.
What will the interviewer(s) ask me? What questions should I ask?
For common interview questions and more tips on interviewing, read the CDO’s Interviewing Guide. Practice your
answers in advance so you can lead with your strengths.
What are employers looking for?
Interviewers are trying to determine whether you will be a good fit for their workplace and whether you have the
skills and experience to handle their work. They pay attention not only to the content of your answers, but also to
how you present yourself, your communication skills, your ability to get along with others, your passion for the
law, your knowledge about the employer, and how well you think on your feet.
How do I project professionalism through my attire?
Suit
Even on a tight student budget, a professional-looking interview suit is important. Your clothes should be clean,
ironed, and well-fitting; however, they do not need to be expensive. Tailored pantsuits are appropriate for women
who choose to wear them instead of skirt suits. The goal in selecting your interview attire is to find an outfit that
inspires confidence and does not distract from your qualifications.
Facial Hair
Many legal employers still expect a clean-shaven face. If you opt to keep facial hair, it should be trimmed and well
maintained.
Pantyhose
While professional attire for women in the office has become more relaxed, many women still err on the side of
caution and wear pantyhose in interviews.
Footwear
All footwear should be clean, polished, and well maintained. Modest heels are appropriate for women, as are
professional flats. Stilettos, open-toe or sling back shoes, and boots are not.
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Should I bring additional copies of my application materials to an interview?
Yes, you should bring copies of your updated resume, transcript, reference list, and writing sample to each
interview in which you participate. Be prepared to talk about everything in your materials.
When an employer requests a transcript, should it be an “official” transcript?
No, you may request a transcript from the Registrar’s Office and then make copies of it for the majority of
employers. Do not distribute the BannerWeb version of your transcript. Should an employer require an official
transcript, they will let you know. Employers often require official transcripts at the offer stage.
Any tips on interviewing successfully via Skype?
As with an in-person interview, dress appropriately, monitor your body language, and remember to smile. You
should also plan your background shot and test the equipment in advance. You may schedule an appointment to
use the equipment in the CDO conference room for your Skype interview.
I accepted an offer for the summer, but I have another interview scheduled tomorrow. I don't want to be rude and
cancel at the last minute. Should I go on the interview to practice my interviewing skills?
If you cannot or do not intend to accept an offer of employment, do not accept the interview. If you agree to an
interview and later accept an offer of employment elsewhere, you should call to cancel all other interviews. If you
have an interview scheduled through a Richmond Law interview program, contact the CDO immediately upon
acceptance of a job offer. The CDO will serve as the liaison between you and the employer. Interviewing when you
cannot, or do not wish to accept employment wastes the employer’s time, and decreases other students’ interview
opportunities.
Should I send a handwritten or email thank you note after an interview?
A well-written, sincere thank you note makes a good impression immediately after an interview. Send a separate
note to each interviewer after a screening interview and personalize the message based on your conversation. If the
employer indicates that decisions will be made relatively quickly, an email is appropriate. If the employer’s
timetable is a week or more, a handwritten (legible) note is appropriate.
What should I say in my thank you note after the interview?
The perfect thank you note requires three sentences and describes something about the interview that made it
memorable to you. Here’s an example:
Dear Mr. or Ms. ___,
Thank you for taking time to interview me during my recent visit at Smythe & Smythe LLC. I enjoyed
hearing your description of the environmental practice group’s needs, and I believe I would be a natural fit.
I appreciate your consideration and look forward to connecting with you again soon.
Regards,
Susan Student
I interviewed with multiple people from the same employer, must I send a thank you note to each one?
If you interviewed with two or three attorneys, you should personalize a thank you note to each one. If your
interview involves four or more attorneys, you may send a thank you note to the main recruiting contact and ask
that your appreciation be extended to the other interviewers.
I was invited to a callback interview. How will this be different than the screening interview?
Screening interviews are generally conducted by one or two attorneys for 20-30 minutes. Callback interviews often
involve a panel interview or a series of interviews with multiple attorneys, preceded or followed by a meal.
Remember that the interview starts when you arrive at the employer’s building. Make sure you treat the parking
attendant, receptionist, and administrative assistant with respect.
27
How should I continue my job search while I am waiting for offers on applications already submitted?
If you have not received an offer of summer or post-graduate employment, it is important to continue networking,
researching target employers, and applying for new jobs. Please visit your career advisor if you need help
determining the next steps in your employment search.
Offers
How long after an interview should I follow up with a potential employer?
At the end of an interview, it is appropriate to ask about the employer's time frame for making a decision. That
should give you a sense of whether they will continue to interview and deliberate for days or weeks or months. A
follow-up email or phone call one week after their anticipated decision date is appropriate to reiterate your interest
and inquire about the status of the decision. If you do not know when they intend to make a decision, a follow-up
email or phone call one week after the interview, and then in regular intervals, is appropriate.
I received a voicemail or email offering me a summer internship. How should I respond?
First, respond to the employer quickly via the same communication method they used. Convey your enthusiasm
and continued interest in the position, and thank them for the opportunity.
• If you are comfortable accepting the offer, do so, and ask what next steps you must complete (there is always
paperwork) and when you should start.
• If you are not comfortable accepting on the spot (especially if this position is not your first choice and you are
waiting to hear back from other employers), then you may say that you appreciate the offer and you are
interested, but will need some time to consider it. If they do not suggest a time frame for your decision, you may
ask when they expect your response.
How much time generally is provided to consider an offer?
The allowable time varies considerably by employer. When extending an offer, small law firms, government
agencies, and public interest organizations may request that you accept or decline the offer within 24 or 48 hours,
or may give you a week or more. Large law firms generally request an answer within two weeks. (See the NALP
Guidelines section of this Recruitment Guide.) If you are waiting to hear from another employer, you may want to
request additional time to consider your options. The employer may or may not grant such a request, so you should
be prepared to move forward if your request is not granted.
What should I do if I receive a job offer but am waiting on the results of another interview? In deciding whether to
accept an offer, how can I find out whether I am under serious consideration by another employer?
First, acknowledge the offer immediately and express appreciation for the opportunity. Ask when the employer
needs an answer from you. Please consult with your career advisor at this point. Before making a final decision,
students often want to weigh all of their viable options. If you already interviewed or have an interview scheduled
with your preferred employer, you may wish to contact that employer to inquire about your status in the
consideration process. You should explain that you have received an offer from another employer, and let your
preferred employer know that they would be your first choice, but you must respond to the offer in hand by a
certain date. This conversation may spur your preferred employer into action, or you may learn that you have to
make a decision on the offer you have received without additional information from your preferred employer.
What if the employer wants an answer before I will hear back from my preferred employer?
You will have to decide whether to take a risk and decline an offer prior to receiving one from another employer.
May I continue to apply or interview for jobs after I have accepted an offer?
No. Once you have accepted an offer for a summer or post-graduate position, you should not continue to apply or
interview for employment that conflicts with your commitment. If you are committed for only half of the summer,
be transparent about your availability with potential employers in your applications and interviews so as not to
create a conflict.
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Once I accept an offer, how should I handle other interviews already scheduled?
Once you accept an offer of employment, you should call to cancel all other scheduled interviews for employment
that will conflict with your accepted employment. Interviewing when you cannot, or do not wish to accept
employment jeopardizes your reputation, wastes the employer’s time, and decreases other students' interview
opportunities. Once you accept an offer from an employer, even for an unpaid internship, it is inappropriate and
against school policy to continue to search for other employment or renege on your acceptance.
What should I say to decline an offer?
You should communicate with the employer in the same mode (phone or email) as the offer was made. Simply
state that you appreciate the opportunity but after careful consideration you have decided to accept an offer from
another employer. You may want to indicate that you hope to stay in contact with the employer, and even offer to
volunteer during the academic year or work over school breaks. Be prepared to tell the employer whose offer you
are declining which other offer you have accepted.
After receiving an offer from a judge for a clerkship or judicial internship, may I ask for an extension of time to
consider the offer to continue interviewing with other judges?
No. Federal judges and many state court judges are offended if you do not accept an offer immediately. Unlike
other legal employers, judges will not let you hold their offer while you wait for a better one. Some judges make
offers at the time of the interview, or within a day or two, so you should be prepared to accept the judge’s offer on
the spot. If you do not withdraw your application shortly after an interview, the judge will assume your willingness
to accept the position if offered. Once you accept the position, contact all the judges with whom you have
outstanding applications to withdraw yourself from consideration, and withdraw any pending applications in
OSCAR. It is an expected courtesy, and since you may appear in front of that judge one day, you will want to be on
good terms.
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Other Questions
How can I update my application materials after they are submitted to an employer?
If you apply to a non-OCI employer and then want to add a recent accomplishment to your resume or an updated
unofficial transcript, you may email the revised document in PDF to the employer with a simple message
referencing your previous application and highlighting what is new and improved. To update an application to an
OCI employer, please contact Kym Osterbind.
What day should I start my 1L summer employment?
The start date for your position is up to you and your employer. If the decision is left up to you, plan for time to
participate in the Unified Journal Competition, and for post-exam relaxation. If you plan any vacation time,
remember that August/Early Fall OCI begins two weeks before classes resume.
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Sample Documents
Bullet Resume – One Address
31
Sample Documents
Bullet Resume – Two Addresses
32
Sample Documents
Paragraph Resume – One Address
33
Sample Documents
Paragraph Resume – Two Addresses
34
Sample Documents
Cover Letter
35
Sample Documents
Transcript
When an employer asks for a grade list or transcript, you should request a copy of your transcript from the
University Registrar. You should plan to submit an electronic version of this transcript, rather than a grade list or
an unofficial list from BannerWeb.
You may request a copy of your transcript online at:
http://registrar.richmond.edu/common/PDF/5_1 Online Forms/transcriptrequest.pdf
Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time for the Registrar’s Office to process your request. You can request to
receive your transcript in PDF format. Once received, download the file and add it to your documents library in
Symplicity.
Note: Because of security features, such as the watermark, you should not print your transcript and then scan it.
Doing so may cause the images to be distorted. If an employer requests a paper application, you may print out
your transcript and include it with your application materials.
A sample transcript is included on the next three pages. You should include all pages when submitting your
transcript with an application.
36
Sample Documents
Transcript
Official Academic Transcript from
University of Richmond
Statement of Authenticity
This official academic transcript has been delivered to you through eSCRIP-SAFE, the Global Electronic Transcript Delivery
Network, provided by Credentials eScrip-Safe, 9435 Waterstone Blvd, Suite 260, Cincinnati, OH 45249, 1-847- 716-3805.
Credentials eScrip-Safe has been appointed and serves as the designated delivery agent for this sending school, and
verifies this sender is recognized by the accreditation source identified below
This official academic transcript was requested, created, and released to the recipient following all applicable state and
federal laws. It is a violation of federal privacy law to provide a copy of this official academic transcript to anyone other than
the named recipient.
This PDF document includes: the cover page, the official academic transcript from the sending school, and the academic
transcript legend guide.
The authenticity of the PDF document may be validated. A printed copy cannot be validated.
Questions regarding the content of the official academic transcript should be directed to the sending school.
Sending School Information
University of Richmond
Office of the University Registrar 28 Westhampton Way
Richmond, VA 23173
Telephone: 804-289-8401
School Web Page: http://www.richmond.edu/
Registrar Office Web Page: http://www.registrar.richmond.edu
Course Catalog Web Page: http://registrar.richmond.edu/catalogs/index.html
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Student Information
Student Name:
Numeric Identifier: Birth Date: Student
Email:
Receiver Information
Document Information
Transmitted On: Transcript
ID:
Save this PDF document immediately. It will expire from the eSCRIP-SAFE server 24 hours after it is first opened.
Validate authenticity of the saved document at escrip-safe.com.
This document is intended for the above named receiver. If you are not the identified receiver please notify the sending school immediately.
Transcripts marked 'Issued to Student' are intended for student use only.
Recipients should only accept academic transcripts directly from the sending school.
37
Sample Documents
Transcript
Student No: UR ID: Date Issued:
Record of: Page: 1
Course Level: Law
Only Admit: Fall 2012
Current Curriculum
Juris Doctor
College : School of Law
Major : Law
SUBJ NO. COURSE TITLE CRED GRD PTS R
INSTITUTION CREDIT ****************** TRANSCRIPT TOTALS *****************
Fall 2012
LAWR 123
LAWYERING SKILLS
3.00 B+
9.90
Earned Hrs GPA Hrs Points GPA
TOTAL INSTITUTION 15.00 15.00 52.7
3.47 LAWR 124 CIVIL PROCEDURE 4.00 A- 14.80 LAWR 125 CONTRACTS 4.00 A- 14.80 TOTAL TRANSFER 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
LAWR 126 TORTS 4.00 B+ 13.20 Ehrs: 15.00 GPA-Hrs: 15.00
QPts:
52.70 GPA: 3.51 OVERALL 15.00 15.00 52.7 3.51
********************** END OF TRANSCRIPT ****************
Spring 2013
IN PROGRESS WORK
LAWR 223
LAWR 223
LAW 223 CRIMINAL LAW 3.00 IN PROGRESS LAWR 224 LEGISLATION AND REGULATION 3.00 IN PROGRESS LAWR 225 LAWYERING SKILLS II 2.00 IN PROGRESS LAWR 226 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
gggggggggggggg
4.00 IN PROGRESS LAWR 227
asdfadfasdfadf
In Progress
Credits 16.00
****************
****** END OF
TRANSCRIPT
****************
*******
PROPERTY
4.00 IN PROGRESS
U
IN PROGRESS CREDITS 16.00
Susan D. Breeden, University Registrar
This PDF document may be validated. A printed copy cannot be validated. See attached cover page for
additional information.
38
Sample Documents
Transcript
OFFICE OF THE UNIVERSITY REGISTRAR
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23173
(804) 289-8639 email: [email protected] / website: www.registrar.richmond.edu
COURSE CREDIT
As of Fall 2008, the undergraduate divisions of the School of Arts and Sciences, the
Robins School of Business and the Jepson School of Leadership Studies converted
from semester hours to units. A 1-unit course is equivalent to 3.5 semester hours. For
all other schools (and the above schools prior to Fall 2008), course credit is awarded
on the semester hour system. Credit is determined by a variety of factors, including
contact time with a faculty member in a formal setting and expectations of independent
study work through a nominal 15-week semester.
GRADING SYSTEM: since 1966
A+ 4.0
A 4.0 Excellent range
A- 3.7
B+ 3.3
B 3.0 Good range
B- 2.7
C+ 2.3
C 2.0 Average range
C- 1.7 D+ 1.3
D 1.0 Poor range
D- 0.7
F 0.0 Failure
I 0.0 Punitive Incomplete (make-up grade will appear to right of “I”)
M 0.0 Withdrew Failing
V 0.0 Failure, excessive absence
P — Pass S — Satisfactory, non-academic credit
U — Unsatisfactory, non-academic credit
W — Withdrew Passing
X — Grade unavailable
Y — Non-punitive Incomplete (make-up grade will appear to right of “Y”)
Z — Audit TR
— Transfer
Effective Fall 2008 and between Spring 1989 and Summer 1992, an approved
undergraduate course taken for graduate credit is designated by a course number
below the 500 level followed by a G. Prior to 1966 the 3.0 system was used, A=3 etc.
Prior to Fall 1986, "0" designated failure for excessive absence, and except for
Law, "+/" did not affect the GPA. Prior to Fall 2002, “+/-“ did not affect the GPA of
Graduate Business students.
Effective Summer 1992, graduate courses are transcripted separately from
undergraduate courses.
Prior to Summer 1992, courses numbered above the 400 level are graduate
level unless otherwise indicated. Prior to Spring 1989, an approved undergraduate course taken for graduate credit is
designated by a 400-level course number.
THE T.C. WILLIAMS SCHOOL OF LAW
Effective Fall 2014, faculty policy provides for assignment of a mean grade of 3.3 in all
classes.
Prior to Fall 2014, faculty policy provides for assignment of median grades of B in all
first-year classes. Prior to Fall 2001, faculty policy provides for assignment of median grades of B• in all
first-year classes. Prior to Spring 1992, faculty policy provides for assignment of median and mode
grades of C+ in all required classes. The law degree was the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) through 1969, Juris Doctor (JD)
thereafter. LLB recipients have been given the option to exchange the LLB
designation for the JD. Effective 2016: 87 hours required for graduation.
1993 – 2015: 86 hours required for graduation.
1973 - 1992: 90 hours required for graduation.
1942 - 1945: 80 hours required for graduation. 1975 - Pres: Grading scale outlined above except A+ and D• are not awarded.
1972 - 1975: D = 55 - 61, F = Below 55.
1938 - 1972: A = 80 - 100%, B = 70 - 79, C = 62 - 69, D = 60 - 61, E = 50
- 59, F = Below 50, with 84 hours required for graduation.
COLLEGE/SCHOOL NAMES
Prior to 1992, undergraduate liberal arts students were enrolled in and
graduated from Richmond College or Westhampton College. Since Fall
1992, undergraduate students are enrolled in the School of Arts and
Sciences, The E. Claiborne Robins School of Business, and the Jepson
School of Leadership Studies. Richmond College and Westhampton
College now serve as the undergraduate residential colleges.
Effective Fall 1994, the name of the University College changed to the
School of Continuing Studies. Effective Fall 2012, the name of the School
of Continuing Studies changed to the School of Professional and Continuing
Studies.
ACCREDITATION
The University of Richmond is accredited by the Commission on Colleges
of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate,
baccalaureate, masters, and juris doctor degrees. Contact SACSCOC at
1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call (404) 679-
4500 for questions about the accreditation of the University of Richmond.
The University also is approved by the Virginia State Board of Education to
offer teacher licensure programs. Various departments and divisions have
more specialized accreditation. Included in this category are the chemistry
program, accredited by the American Chemical Society; and the
undergraduate teacher preparation programs and graduate certificate in
teacher licensure program, accredited by the Teacher Education
Accreditation Council. In addition, the Robins School of Business is accredited
by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International
(AACSB) at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and the T.C. Williams
School of Law is fully accredited by the recognized standardizing agencies
in the United States, on the approved lists of the American Bar Association
and a member of the Association of American Law Schools.
REPEATED COURSES
Repeated courses are noted to the right of the quality points earned for that
course as follows:
I = earned hours included; calculated in GPA A =
earned hours excluded; calculated in GPA
E = earned hours excluded; not calculated in GPA
Consult the appropriate catalog for information on course repeat policies.
TRANSCRIPT VALIDATION
An official transcript is printed on secure paper with a blue background.
When photocopied, the word COPY will appear. Further authentication may
be obtained by calling the Office of the University Registrar.
GRADE POINT AVERAGE CALCULATION
The grade point average is calculated by dividing the total number of grade
points earned by the total number of GPA hours. The grade point average is
represented to two significant decimal points and truncated, not rounded.
Transfer work does not calculate in the grade point average.
CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS (CEUs)
The continuing education unit is used to recognize participation in non-credit
classes, courses, and programs. The University of Richmond assigns CEU
credit based on the SACS Commission on Colleges' document C.E.U.:
Guidelines and Criteria. Such non-credit courses are designated as "CE" level
and have an "M" or “N” attached to the course number. They are graded as
satisfactory/unsatisfactory and cannot be used to satisfy any requirements in
any degree program.
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
This transcript cannot be released to any third party without the written
consent of the student in accordance with the Family Educational Rights
and Privacy Act of 1974 (the Buckley Amendment). The message "Issued to
Student" will be noted on the transcript when the transcript is provided directly
to the student.
This transcript was delivered through the Credentials eScrip-Safe® Global Transcript Delivery Network. The original transcript is in
electronic PDF form. The authenticity of the PDF document may be validated. A printed copy cannot be validated.
This document cannot be released to a third party without the written consent of the student. This is in accordance with the Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. ALTERATION OF THIS DOCUMENT MAY BE A CRIMINAL OFFENSE!
39
Sample Documents
Sample 1 Reference List (corresponds to bullet resume)
40
Sample Documents
Sample 2 Reference List (corresponds to paragraph resume)
41
Sample Documents
Writing Sample Cover Sheet
Note: Provide your contact information on the cover sheet (in the same format as your resume header).
Describe the origin and purpose of the writing sample (e.g., memorandum assigned in Law Skills, brief
drafted for an employer), and truthfully state that it is your own work and that you have permission to
submit the sample (if drafted for an employer).
42
Purpose of Your Writing Sample
Employers may request a writing sample to evaluate your research, writing and analytical skills. As
prospective employers prefer a “real world” example of your writing, your sample should be legal in
nature. You may select a piece you wrote for Law Skills, a journal article, a paper submitted for a writing
competition, or a memorandum or brief you prepared for an employer. Whatever you select, ensure that
your sample demonstrates the quality, persuasiveness and thoroughness you intend to produce for the
employer to which you are submitting it. Choose a writing sample in whose quality you are confident,
that contains issues and arguments you can comfortably explain in an interview, and is your recent work
(and presumably more practiced in its research and writing). You may submit a writing sample focused
on an area of law different from the one to which you are applying, but it should be relevant to your
employer.
The writing sample should be your own work product. If your writing sample was submitted for a class
or to an employer, be sure to indicate on your cover sheet (see above) the extent to which you
incorporated comments and revisions by your professor or others. If you use a piece that was prepared for
an employer, be sure to redact any identifying client information and get your employer’s permission to
use it. Pieces that have been co-drafted or re-written by others should not be used as samples. Law Skills
papers or other writing samples that were reviewed and critiqued by others are fine, as long as you are
the one who did any re-drafting.
As with your other application materials, your writing sample must be error-free. Proofread it for
typographical and spelling errors, incorrect grammar usage, and improper Bluebook citations. You also
may wish to have someone else review it.
When to Submit Your Writing Sample
Many employers request a writing sample with your application materials or later in the selection
process. You should not send a writing sample with your initial employment application unless it is
requested. Some employers request a writing sample at the interview stage, so be sure to have a copy
with you at any screening or call-back interview.
Writing Sample Length
As a general rule, a writing sample of 5–10 pages in length sufficiently demonstrates your writing
ability. Judicial clerkship applicants may want to submit a writing sample that is 10-15 pages in length.
Some employers, including judges, may specify the length they prefer to receive, so pay attention to
application requirements, keeping in mind that employers may receive hundreds of applications and may
not read your sample if it is too long.
If your preferred writing sample is longer than the recommended page length, you are encouraged to
show your editing skills by removing certain sections (e.g., statement of facts, less persuasive
arguments). After making edits, review the excerpted writing sample in its entirety to ensure it is still
understandable. You may want to add a brief explanation of the sections on your cover sheet.
43
Formatting
When submitting a writing sample via hard copy, it may be on plain white photocopy quality paper.
When submitting a writing sample electronically, convert the document into Adobe PDF format and
attach it to your application. Submitting a PDF will ensure the recipient is able to view the document
exactly as you intended.
44
Guide to Summer Employment Evaluations
Before you apply for a position, you should research the employer. Evaluations from former summer
interns are one of the best sources of information.
At the end of every summer, students are asked to complete an evaluation of their law-related positions
via Symplicity. Many students offer their contact information so future students may contact them with
additional questions.
If you want to access the results of other evaluations:
1. Login to Symplicity and select the student account dropdown where your name is listed.
2. In the drop down menu, select “Personal Information.”
3. Click on “Evaluations.”
45
4. Click on “Search Evaluations” to view all student evaluations in the system. Filter the
evaluations by employer name, type, location, size or practice area.
5. Alternatively, after logging into Symplicity, you can click on the “Summer Employment
Evaluation” link in the Shortcuts pane and then follow steps 3-4 above.
If you need to submit a summer employment evaluation:
1. Complete steps 1-3 above.
2. Click on “My Evaluations” and click “Add New.”
46
3. Complete the survey and click “Submit.”
47
Best Practices for Preparing and Submitting Applications
Before final submission of your employment application materials, make sure you have checked the
following:
General
□ Ask multiple reviewers, including your career advisor, to proofread all of your materials.
Applications with grammatical and typographical errors often are rejected without further review.
□ Use the CDO’s templates for resumes, cover letters and writing samples.
□ Your cover letter and resume should be one page each with few exceptions. Your materials may
be longer if you have 10 or more years of post-undergraduate experience, or if you are applying
for certain public sector positions.
□ Use the same font type throughout your materials. The font type on your resume should be the
same as on your cover letter and reference list, although font size may differ.
□ List your contact information on your writing sample cover page and reference list in the same
way it is listed on your resume.
□ Convert your application documents to PDF before emailing them to an employer or uploading
them to Symplicity.
Cover Letters
□ Check for mail-merge errors. Make sure the salutation matches the addressee of the letter. Make
sure the employer’s name is referenced correctly throughout the body of the letter.
□ Type the date with the month spelled out (e.g., August 1, 2017).
□ Address the letter to “Dear Mr. or Ms. or Judge [Last Name]:” with a colon at the end. Do not use
the addressee’s first name in the salutation. Avoid using “To Whom It May Concern” by
researching or calling the employer to determine the appropriate contact person.
□ Sign the letter if you are sending it in hard copy. If you are sending an electronic version, insert a
clean cropped JPG of your handwritten signature after “Sincerely” and before your typed name.
Resumes
□ Choose a readable font size (e.g., no smaller than Times New Roman 11 point).
□ Use consistent margins and line spacing. Recommended margins are 1” all around, but no less
than 0.5”.
□ Use your richmond.edu email address.
□ If you need to demonstrate a geographic connection not otherwise evident, use your permanent
address and/or your local address.
□ You are a Candidate for Juris Doctor (not Juris Doctorate).
□ List your activities and honors with the respective educational institution.
Transcript
□ If an employer requests an unofficial transcript, request your transcript from the Registrar’s
Office to be sent directly to you an electronic version in PDF format that you can upload or email
as part of your application materials.
□ Do not use a printout from BannerWeb to supply your grades.
□ If an employer requests an official transcript (often during the final stages of the interview
process), request one from the Registrar’s Office.
48
Submission by Email
□ Attach documents, including your cover letter, in PDF format.
□ Include a brief message in the body of the email with an appropriate electronic signature (Name,
Class of ___, University of Richmond School of Law, Phone, Email Address, LinkedIn URL).
□ Include a descriptive subject line (e.g., Summer Clerk Application – Your Name).
Submission by U.S. Mail
□ While email applications are fine for most employers (and often requested), when in doubt, the
most conservative choice is U.S. mail. Judicial clerkship applications should be submitted via
OSCAR or Symplicity or U.S. mail.
□ Use white or ivory resume paper (in linen or cotton) with matching business-sized envelopes.
□ If you need to submit a writing sample, it may be printed on plain white photocopy quality paper.
□ Print the address block and return address directly on the envelope. Do not hand-write your
envelopes.
Submission on Symplicity
□ Carefully review the “Additional Requests” section, as many employers require additional
documents such as cover letters, transcripts, writing samples or reference lists.
□ Be sure to select the correct cover letter and resume for each employer before submitting.
49
http://www.nalp.org/fulltextofnalpprinciplesandstandards
PART III: PRINCIPLES FOR CANDIDATES
D. Candidates should notify employers and their office of career services of their acceptance or
rejection of employment offers by the earliest possible time, and no later than the time established
by rule, custom, or agreement.
1. Candidates should expect offers to be confirmed in writing. Candidates should abide by the
standards for candidate responses set out in Part V and should in any event notify the employer as
soon as their decision is made, even if that decision is made in advance of the prevailing deadline
date.
2. In fairness to both employers and peers, candidates should act in good faith to decline promptly
offers for interviews and employment which are no longer being seriously considered. In order
for law schools to comply with federal and institutional reporting requirements, candidates should
notify the office of career services upon acceptance of an employment offer, whether or not the
employment was obtained through the office.
3. Candidates seeking or preparing to accept fellowships, judicial clerkships, or other limited term
professional employment should apprise prospective employers of their intentions and obtain a
clear understanding of their offer deferral policies.
E. Candidates should honor their employment commitments.
1. Candidates should, upon acceptance of an offer of employment, notify their office of career
services and notify all employers who consider them to be active candidates that they have
accepted a position.
2. If, because of extraordinary and unforeseen circumstances, it becomes necessary for a candidate
to modify or be released from his or her acceptance, both the employer and the office of career
services should be notified promptly in writing.
F. Students should promptly report to the office of career services any misrepresentation,
discrimination, harassment, including sexual harassment, or other inappropriate conduct by
employers in the employment process.
G. Students who engage in law-related employment should adhere to the same standards of conduct
as lawyers.
1. In matters arising out of law-related employment, students should be guided by the standards for
professional conduct which are applicable in the employer's state. When acting on behalf of
employers in a recruitment capacity, students should be guided by the employer principles in Part
IV.
2. Students should exercise care to provide representative and fair information when advising peers
about former employers.
NALP Guidelines for
Offers and Acceptances
50
PART V: GENERAL STANDARDS FOR THE TIMING OF OFFERS AND DECISIONS
To promote fair and ethical practices for the interviewing and decision-making process, NALP offers the
following standards for the timing of offers and decisions:
A. General Provisions
1. All offers to law student candidates (“candidates”) should remain open for at least two weeks
after the date of the offer letter unless the offers are made pursuant to Sections B and C below, in
which case the later response date should apply.
2. Candidates are expected to accept or release offers or request an extension by the applicable
deadline. Offers that are not accepted by the offer deadline expire.
3. A candidate should not hold open more than five offers of employment at any one time. For each
offer received that places a candidate over the offer limit, the candidate should, within one week
of receipt of the excess offer, release an offer.
4. Employers offering part-time or temporary positions for the school term are exempted from the
requirements of Paragraphs B and C below.
5. Practices inconsistent with these guidelines should be reported to the candidate’s career services
office.
B. Full-Time Employment Provisions
1. Employers offering full-time positions to commence following graduation to candidates not
previously employed by them should leave those offers open for at least 28 days following the
date of the offer letter or until December 30, whichever comes first. Candidates should reaffirm
these offers within 14 days from the date of the offer letter, if an employer requests such
reaffirmation in its offer letter. Employers that have requested this reaffirmation may retract any
offer that is not reaffirmed within the 14-day period. Offers made after December 15 for full-
time positions to commence following graduation should remain open for at least two weeks after
the date of the offer letter.
2. Candidates may request that an employer extend the deadline to accept the employer’s offer until
as late as April 1 if the candidate is actively pursuing positions with public interest or government
organizations. Candidates may hold open only one offer in such circumstances. Employers are
encouraged to grant such requests.
3. Employers offering full-time positions to commence following graduation to candidates
previously employed by them should leave those offers open until at least October 1 of the
candidate’s final year of law school, provided that such offers are made prior to or on September
2. Candidates should reaffirm these offers within thirty days from the date of the offer letter, if an
employer requests such reaffirmation in its offer letter. Employers that have requested this
reaffirmation may retract any offer that is not reaffirmed within the 30-day period. After
September 2 of a candidate's final year of law school, employers offering full-time positions to
commence following graduation to candidates previously employed by them should leave those
offers open for at least 28 days following the date of the offer letter.
4. If an employer makes an offer to a law student candidate not previously employed by that
employer before the beginning of the law school's on-campus interview program, that offer
should not expire until at least 28 days following the first day of the law school's on-campus
interview program. Employers should contact the appropriate law school(s) to determine these
dates. See Part IV F above.
5. Employers offering candidates full-time positions to commence following graduation and having
a total of 40 attorneys or fewer in all offices are exempted from Paragraphs 1-4 of this Section.
51
Instead, offers made on or before December 15 should remain open for at least three weeks
following the date of the offer letter or until December 30, whichever comes first, and offers
made after December 15 should remain open for at least two weeks.
C. Summer Employment Provisions for Second and Third Year Students
1. Employers offering positions for the following summer to candidates not previously employed by
them should leave those offers open for at least 28 days following the date of the offer letter or
until December 30, whichever comes first. Candidates should reaffirm these offers within 14 days
from the date of the offer letter, if an employer requests such affirmation in its offer letter.
Employers that have requested this reaffirmation may retract any offer that is not reaffirmed
within the 14-day period. Offers made after December 15 for the following summer should
remain open for at least two weeks after the date of the offer letter.
2. Candidates may request that an employer extend the deadline to accept the employer’s offer until
as late as April 1 if the candidate is actively pursuing positions with public interest or government
organizations. Candidates may hold open only one offer in such circumstances. Employers are
encouraged to grant such requests.
3. Employers offering positions for the following summer to candidates previously employed by
them should leave those offers open until at least 28 days following the first day of the law
school's on-campus interview program.
4. If an employer makes an offer to a law student candidate not previously employed by that
employer before the beginning of the law school's on-campus interview program, that offer
should not expire until at least 28 days following the first day of the law school's on-campus
interview program. Employers should contact the appropriate law school(s) to determine these
dates. See Part IV F above.
5. Employers offering candidates positions for the following summer and having a total of 40
attorneys or fewer in all offices are exempted from Paragraphs 1-4 of this Section. Instead, offers
made on or before December 15 should remain open for at least three weeks following the date of
the offer letter or until December 30, whichever comes first, and offers made after December 15
should remain open for at least two weeks.
D. Summer Employment Provisions for First Year Students
1. To position law students to be as successful as possible, their efforts during the first semester of
law school should focus on their studies rather than on job search activities. Nonetheless,
opportunities to learn about professionalism, professional development and the legal profession in
a group setting are appropriate early in law school. Recognizing that law schools will differ in
philosophy as to first-year career development activities, law schools nevertheless should not
begin providing one-on-one career counseling or application document reviews to first-year
students before October 15 (except in the case of part-time students who may be given assistance
in seeking positions during the school term). Individual law schools may set later dates as
appropriate.
2. Recognizing that opportunities to learn about professionalism, professional development, and the
legal profession are appropriate early in law school and recognizing that law schools will differ as
to whether and how to include prospective employers in career development activities,
educational and professional development contact with 1Ls is permitted at any time at the
discretion of the school. Prospective employers and first year law students, however, should not
initiate contact with one another and employers should not initiate formal one-on-one recruiting
contact with one another, including applications, interviews, or offers to first year students, before
52
December 1. Appointments with candidates for interviews should be established for a mutually
convenient time so as not to unduly disrupt candidates' studies.
3. All offers to first year students for summer employment should remain open for at least two
weeks after the date made.
53
Richmond Law Interview and Offer Policies
CANCELLATION/NO-SHOW POLICY
The Career Development Office requires that all students participating in its recruitment programs attend
all scheduled interviews. Failure to attend a scheduled interview prevents an alternate from filling the
vacant interview slot, thus depriving another student of an interview opportunity and wasting employer
time. Further, these situations reflect poorly on you individually, on your student colleagues, on the CDO,
and may impact Richmond Law’s relationship with employers. Because employers and students are so
adversely affected, the CDO maintains a strictly enforced policy on late cancellations and no-shows.
If you (1) fail to attend an interview, or (2) cancel a scheduled interview (unless you have accepted
an offer of employment, in which case you must notify the CDO immediately), you will be required
to schedule immediately a telephone or in-person appointment with the Associate Dean for Career
Development (or her designee) AND send a letter of apology to the employer and provide a copy of
the letter to the Associate Dean. Both processes must be completed within 48 hours of the missed
interview; failure to do so within the specified period may result in the revocation of all OCI and
job fair privileges.
If you engage in the behaviors described above on more than one occasion, or if the Associate Dean (or
her designee) deems that a single instance of either of the behaviors described above is egregious based
upon the circumstances, your OCI and job fair interview privileges will be revoked.
This Cancellation/No-Show Policy applies to all OCI and job fair programs. It also applies to your failure
to attend or appropriately cancel any callback interviews resulting from your participation in OCI and job
fair programs.
If an emergency arises that will impact your ability to attend a scheduled interview, you must call the
CDO as soon as possible at 804.289.8638.
If it is determined that missing your interview is unavoidable, the Associate Dean will make the final
determination of what appropriate steps and consequences there will be (if any) depending on individual
circumstances.
ACCEPTED OFFER POLICY
By accepting an offer of employment, you are committing yourself to that employer for the agreed-upon
time period. Reneging on an accepted offer is an ethical violation of that commitment. Reneging on an
accepted offer can negatively impact your reputation and that of Richmond Law. In addition, it can skew
employers’ perceptions of other Richmond Law students and graduates, resulting in decreased recruiting
opportunities.
Because of Richmond Law’s strong interest in maintaining employer relationships and maximizing
opportunities for all students and alumni, reneging on an accepted offer of employment may result
in the loss of all OCI and job fair privileges. This policy applies whether or not the accepted offer
was secured via a Richmond Law sponsored interview program or job fair.
If you are considering reneging on an accepted offer of employment, speak with your career advisor or
the Associate Dean prior to making a final decision.
54
Career Development Office Staff and Contact Information
Janet D. Hutchinson, Associate Dean
Career Development
(804) 287-6427
Marka Belinfanti, Director
Public Sector Careers & Judicial Clerkships
(804) 287-6673
Liz Jones (L’09), Director
Alumni Advising & Employer Outreach
(804) 287-6426
Kym Osterbind
Recruiting Coordinator
(804) 289-8680
Dawn Siedlecki
Administrative Coordinator
(804) 289-8638
Carole Yeatts, Director
Professional Development Programs
(804) 289-8185
